Integrated passive cooling containment structure for a nuclear reactor

ABSTRACT

An integrated passive cooling containment structure for a nuclear reactor includes a concentric arrangement of an inner steel cylindrical shell and an outer steel cylindrical shell that define both a lateral boundary of a containment environment of the nuclear reactor that is configured to accommodate a nuclear reactor and an annular gap space between the inner and outer steel cylindrical shells, a concrete donut structure at a bottom of the annular gap space, and a plurality of concrete columns spaced apart azimuthally around a circumference of the annular gap and extending in parallel from a top surface of the concrete donut structure to a top of the annular gap space. The outer and inner steel cylindrical shells and the concrete donut structure at least partially define one or more coolant channels extending through the annular gap space.

BACKGROUND Field

Example embodiments described herein relate in general to nuclearreactors and in particular to providing containment and integratedpassive cooling of a nuclear reactor.

Description of Related Art

Nuclear reactors may be configured to be cooled via heat transfer to oneor more coolant fluids circulated in or near the nuclear reactor. Suchheat transfer may be referred to herein as heat rejection by the nuclearreactor. Various coolant fluids may be utilized to remove heat from thenuclear reactor. A coolant fluid may be a fluid that includes one ormore various substances, including water, liquid metal, molten salt, agaseous substance, some combination thereof, etc.

In some nuclear plants, a nuclear reactor includes a containment system,also referred to herein as simply “containment,” for managing heatrejection by the nuclear reactor by facilitating circulation of acoolant fluid, such as water, to a point in the nuclear reactor wherethe coolant fluid absorbs heat rejected by the nuclear reactor, and theheated coolant fluid is then circulated to a heat return, or heat sink,where the heated coolant fluid may be cooled to release the absorbedheat. In some nuclear plants, the containment system may be impacted byheat rejection that exceeds the heat transfer capabilities of a powercoolant loop that is used to induce work, for example to generateelectricity. Accordingly, the containment system may utilize cooling tomanage containment system temperature.

In some nuclear plants, a containment system includes a physicalstructure, also referred to herein as a containment shell structure,that provides pressure retention so as to reduce or prevent unintendedescape of gases, liquids, or any other liquids from a containmentenvironment in which the nuclear reactor may be located.

In some nuclear plants, a structure is provided to provide structuralsupport to one or more of the nuclear reactor, the containment system,or one or more portions of the nuclear plant, including a superstructurethat is mounted vertically above the structural support in the nuclearplant.

SUMMARY

According to some example embodiments, a nuclear plant may include anuclear reactor and an integrated passive cooling containment structure.The integrated passive cooling containment structure may include aconcentric arrangement of an inner steel cylindrical shell and an outersteel cylindrical shell. An inner surface of the inner steel cylindricalshell may define a lateral boundary of a containment environment of thenuclear reactor. An outer surface of the inner steel cylindrical shelland an inner surface of the outer steel cylindrical shell may defineinner and outer diameters, respectively, of an annular gap space betweenthe inner steel cylindrical shell and the outer steel cylindrical shell.The integrated passive cooling containment structure may include aconcrete donut structure at a bottom of the annular gap space, such thatthe concrete donut structure fills a lower region of the annular gapspace. The integrated passive cooling containment structure may includea plurality of concrete columns spaced apart azimuthally around acircumference of the annular gap and extending in parallel from a topsurface of the concrete donut structure to a top of the annular gapspace. The outer steel cylindrical shell, the inner steel cylindricalshell, the plurality of concrete columns, and the concrete donutstructure may at least partially define one or more coolant channels inthe annular gap space, the one or more coolant channels extending fromthe top surface of the concrete donut structure to the top of theannular gap space. The outer steel cylindrical shell may include one ormore coolant supply ports configured to direct coolant fluid into abottom of the one or more coolant channels from a coolant source via oneor more coolant fluid supply conduits, such that the coolant fluid risesthrough the one or more coolant channels towards a top of the one ormore coolant channels, according to a change in coolant fluid buoyancybased on the coolant fluid absorbing heat rejected from the nuclearreactor in the containment environment via the inner steel cylindricalshell.

Two or more concrete columns, of the plurality of concrete columns, eachmay have a radial diameter, in a radial direction of the annular gapspace, that equals a radial distance of the annular gap space between aninner diameter and an outer diameter of the annular gap space, such thatthe two or more concrete columns azimuthally partition the annular gapspace into two or more isolated coolant channels. The outer steelcylindrical shell may include two or more coolant supply ports that areeach configured to direct coolant fluid into a separate coolant channelof the two or more isolated coolant channels.

The integrated passive cooling containment structure may include one ormore steel partitions isolating a concrete column of the plurality ofconcrete columns from an adjacent coolant channel of the one or morecoolant channels.

One or more concrete columns, of the plurality of concrete columns, mayhave a radial diameter, in a radial direction of the annular gap space,that is less than a radial distance of the annular gap space between aninner diameter and an outer diameter of the annular gap space, such thatthe one or more concrete columns are isolated from directly contactingone or more of the inner steel cylindrical shell or the outer steelcylindrical shell.

The integrated passive cooling containment structure may include a capstructure that seals the top of the annular gap space to define the topof the one or more coolant channels. The cap structure may include oneor more coolant outlet ports configured to direct coolant flowing to thetop of the one or more coolant channels to a coolant return via one ormore coolant return conduits.

The nuclear plant may further include a coolant reservoir that is boththe coolant source and the coolant return.

The plurality of concrete columns and the concrete donut structure maybe part of a single, uniform piece of concrete.

The plurality of concrete columns and the concrete donut structure mayeach include self-consolidating concrete.

The inner steel cylindrical shell and the outer steel cylindrical shellmay each include corrosion resistant steel or steel coated with acorrosion resistant coating.

According to some example embodiments, an integrated passive coolingcontainment structure for a nuclear reactor may include a concentricarrangement of an inner steel cylindrical shell and an outer steelcylindrical shell. An inner surface of the inner steel cylindrical shellmay define a lateral boundary of a containment environment of thenuclear reactor that is configured to accommodate the nuclear reactor.An outer surface of the inner steel cylindrical shell and an innersurface of the outer steel cylindrical shell may define inner and outerdiameters, respectively, of an annular gap space between the inner steelcylindrical shell and the outer steel cylindrical shell. The integratedpassive cooling containment structure may include a concrete donutstructure at a bottom of the annular gap space, such that the concretedonut structure fills a lower region of the annular gap space. Theintegrated passive cooling containment structure may include a pluralityof concrete columns spaced apart azimuthally around a circumference ofthe annular gap and extending in parallel from a top surface of theconcrete donut structure to a top of the annular gap space. The outersteel cylindrical shell, the inner steel cylindrical shell, theplurality of concrete columns, and the concrete donut structure may atleast partially define one or more coolant channels in the annular gapspace, the one or more coolant channels extending from the top surfaceof the concrete donut structure to the top of the annular gap space. Theouter steel cylindrical shell may include one or more coolant supplyports at a bottom of the one or more coolant channels, the one or morecoolant supply ports configured to couple with a coolant source via oneor more coolant fluid supply conduits, such that the one or more coolantsupply ports are configured to direct a coolant fluid into a bottomregion of the one or more coolant channels such that the coolant fluidrises through the one or more coolant channels towards a top of the oneor more coolant channels, according to a change in coolant fluidbuoyancy based on the coolant fluid absorbing heat rejected from thenuclear reactor in the containment environment via the inner steelcylindrical shell.

Two or more concrete columns, of the plurality of concrete columns, mayeach have a radial diameter, in a radial direction of the annular gapspace, that equals a radial distance of the annular gap space between aninner diameter and an outer diameter of the annular gap space, such thatthe two or more concrete columns azimuthally partition the annular gapspace into two or more isolated coolant channels. The outer steelcylindrical shell may include two or more coolant supply ports that areeach configured to direct coolant fluid into a separate coolant channelof the two or more isolated coolant channels.

The integrated passive cooling containment structure may further includeone or more steel partitions isolating a concrete column of theplurality of concrete columns from an adjacent coolant channel of theone or more coolant channels.

One or more concrete columns, of the plurality of concrete columns, mayhave a radial diameter, in a radial direction of the annular gap space,that is less than a radial distance of the annular gap space between aninner diameter and an outer diameter of the annular gap space, such thatthe one or more concrete columns are isolated from directly contactingone or more of the inner steel cylindrical shell or the outer steelcylindrical shell.

The integrated passive cooling containment structure may further includea cap structure that seals the top of the annular gap space to definethe top of the one or more coolant channels. The cap structure mayinclude one or more coolant outlet ports configured to direct coolantflowing to the top of the one or more coolant channels to a coolantreturn via one or more coolant return conduits.

The plurality of concrete columns and the concrete donut structure maybe a single, uniform piece of concrete.

The plurality of concrete columns and the concrete donut structure mayeach include self-consolidating concrete.

The inner steel cylindrical shell and the outer steel cylindrical shellmay each include corrosion resistant steel or steel coated with acorrosion resistant coating.

According to some example embodiments, a method for forming anintegrated passive cooling containment structure for a nuclear reactormay include forming a steel annulus structure. The steel annulusstructure may include a concentric arrangement of an inner steelcylindrical shell and an outer steel cylindrical shell. An inner surfaceof the inner steel cylindrical shell may define a lateral boundary of acontainment environment of the nuclear reactor. An outer surface of theinner steel cylindrical shell and an inner surface of the outer steelcylindrical shell may define inner and outer diameters, respectively, ofan annular gap space between the inner steel cylindrical shell and theouter steel cylindrical shell. The method may include forming a concretedonut structure at a bottom of the annular gap space, such that theconcrete donut structure fills a lower region of the annular gap space.The method may include forming a plurality of concrete columns spacedapart azimuthally around a circumference of the annular gap space andextending in parallel from a top surface of the concrete donut structureto a top of the annular gap space, such that the outer steel cylindricalshell, the inner steel cylindrical shell, the plurality of concretecolumns, and the concrete donut structure at least partially define oneor more coolant channels in the annular gap space, the one or morecoolant channels extending from the top surface of the concrete donutstructure to the top of the annular gap space. The method may includeinstalling one or more coolant supply ports at a bottom of the one ormore coolant channels, the one or more coolant supply ports configuredto couple with a coolant source via one or more coolant fluid supplyconduits, such that the one or more coolant supply ports are configuredto direct a coolant fluid into a bottom region of the one or morecoolant channels such that the coolant fluid rises through the one ormore coolant channels towards a top of the one or more coolant channels,according to a change in coolant fluid buoyancy based on the coolantfluid absorbing heat rejected from the nuclear reactor in thecontainment environment via the inner steel cylindrical shell. Theforming the steel annulus structure may include installing one or moresteel partitions in the annular gap space to define an innerlaterally-closed space, that extends from the top surface of theconcrete donut structure to the top of the annular gap space, within theannular gap space. The forming the plurality of concrete columns mayinclude filling the inner laterally-closed space with concrete to formone concrete column of the plurality of concrete columns.

The method may further include mounting the nuclear reactor in thecontainment environment such that the nuclear reactor is structurallysupported in the containment environment by the integrated passivecooling containment structure via at least the concrete donut structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodimentsherein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawingsare merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawingsare not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Forpurposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have beenexaggerated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a nuclear plant that includes anintegrated passive cooling containment structure, according to someexample embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the nuclear plant of FIG. 1along cross-sectional view line II-II′, according to some exampleembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional top view of the nuclear plant of FIG. 1along cross-sectional view line III-III′ where the integrated passivecooling containment structure includes support columns with radialwidths that equal the radial distance of the annular gap between theinner diameter and outer diameter of the inner channels of theintegrated passive cooling containment structure, according to someexample embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the nuclear plant of FIG. 1along cross-sectional view line III-III′ where the integrated passivecooling containment structure includes support columns formed betweenopposing steel partitions in the annular gap of the integrated passivecooling containment structure, according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top view of the nuclear plant of FIG. 1along cross-sectional view line III-III′ where the integrated passivecooling containment structure includes support columns with radialwidths that are less than the radial distance of the annular gap betweenthe inner diameter and outer diameter of the inner channels of theintegrated passive cooling containment structure, according to someexample embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates a method of installing a nuclearreactor that includes an integrated passive cooling containmentstructure, according to some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another elementor layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or coveringthe other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a firstelement, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could betermed a second element, component, region, layer, or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of exampleembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed aslimited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. Forexample, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically,have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implantconcentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted tonon-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantationmay result in some implantation in the region between the buried regionand the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, theregions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and theirshapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of adevice and are not intended to limit the scope of example embodiments.

Example embodiments may be described with reference to acts and symbolicrepresentations of operations (e.g., in the form of flow charts, flowdiagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, block diagrams, etc.)that may be implemented in conjunction with units and/or devicesdiscussed in more detail below. Although discussed in a particularlymanner, a function or operation specified in a specific block may beperformed differently from the flow specified in a flowchart, flowdiagram, etc. For example, functions or operations illustrated as beingperformed serially in two consecutive blocks may actually be performedsimultaneously, or in some cases be performed in reverse order.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

Although described with reference to specific examples and drawings,modifications, additions and substitutions of example embodiments may bevariously made according to the description by those of ordinary skillin the art. For example, the described techniques may be performed in anorder different with that of the methods described, and/or componentssuch as the described system, architecture, devices, circuit, and thelike, may be connected or combined to be different from theabove-described methods, or results may be appropriately achieved byother components or equivalents.

It will be understood that a “nuclear reactor” as described herein mayinclude any or all of the well-known components of a nuclear reactor,including a nuclear reactor core with or without nuclear fuelcomponents, control rods, or the like. It will be understood that anuclear reactor as described herein may include any type of nuclearreactor, including but not limited to a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR), aPressurized Water Reactor (PWR), a liquid metal cooled reactor, a MoltenSalt Reactor (MSR), or the like. As described herein, a nuclear reactormay include an Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR), an EconomicSimplified Boiling Water Reactor (ESBWR), a BWRX-300 reactor, or thelike.

It will be understood that a “coolant fluid” as described herein mayinclude any well-known coolant fluid that may be used in cooling anypart of a nuclear plant and/or nuclear reactor, including water, aliquid metal (e.g., liquid sodium), a gas (e.g., helium), a molten salt,any combination thereof, or the like. It will be understood that a“fluid” as described herein may include a gas, a liquid, or anycombination thereof.

The present disclosure relates to a unique containment structure forproviding containment of a nuclear reactor in a nuclear plant (e.g.,mitigating or preventing escape of gases, liquids, and/or othermaterials from a containment environment, in which the nuclear reactoris located, to an external environment that is external to thecontainment structure), and simultaneously providing structural supportfor the nuclear reactor and/or at least some of a superstructure of thenuclear plant (e.g., a portion of the structure of the nuclear plantthat is located vertically above the containment structure and may alsobe located vertically above the nuclear reactor) and further providing apassive cooling capability (e.g., a cooling capability that is notdriven by energy consumption, such as operation of a flow generatordevice, e.g., a pump, to induce or maintain a flow of coolant fluid).The containment, structural support, and passive cooling are thusintegrated into a single structure: an integrated passive coolingcontainment structure, which is referred to herein as simply the“containment structure.”

The passive cooling capability may be provided via the containmentstructure including one or more coolant channels within an interiorannular gap space of the containment structure, where the one or morecoolant channels are partially or completely defined by the structure ofthe containment structure and are configured to enable coolant fluid inthe coolant channels to rise from an inlet at a bottom of the coolantchannel to an outlet at a top of the coolant channel due to a naturalflow current (e.g., not induced by active flow generators such aspumps), for example as a result of the coolant fluid introduced(“supplied,” “directed,” etc.) into the bottom region of a coolantchannel absorbing heat rejected from the nuclear reactor andexperiencing increased buoyancy (e.g., reduced density) due to beingheated, such that the heated coolant fluid rises through the coolantchannel towards an outlet at a top of the coolant channel and isdisplaced by colder (e.g., denser and less buoyant) coolant fluidnewly-introduced into the bottom region 160 c of the coolant channel viathe inlet.

The integrated passive cooling containment structure, referred to hereinas simply the “containment structure,” may include a concentricarrangement of inner and outer steel cylindrical shells that define anannular gap space therebetween, with a concrete donut structure at abottom of the annular gap space and a plurality of concrete columnsextending, vertically and in parallel, through the annular gap spacefrom the top surface of the concrete donut structure to the top of theannular gap space, where the plurality of concrete columns areazimuthally spaced apart around a center axis of the containmentstructure and within the annular gap space to form a “ring” pattern ofconcrete columns. The concrete columns may extend beyond the top of theannular gap space, which is defined by the top edges of the inner andouter steel cylindrical shells, or may extend to the top of the annulargap space, but example embodiments are not limited thereto. The innersteel cylindrical shell may at least partially define the containmentenvironment for the nuclear reactor as the space defined by, and thuslaterally (“horizontally”) surrounded by the inner surface of the innersteel cylindrical shell. Structural support may be provided by some orall of the concrete donut structure, the concrete columns, and the innerand outer steel cylindrical shells. The concrete donut structure, aloneor in combination with one or both of the inner and outer steelcylindrical shells, may provide structural support of the nuclearreactor that is in the containment environment. Additionally, the innerand outer steel cylindrical shells, concrete columns, and/or concretedonut structure may provide at least a portion of structural support ofa superstructure of the nuclear plant that is vertically above thecontainment structure.

The containment structure may be a steel-concrete composite structure,as the term “steel-concrete composite structure” (SC) is well-known, forexample within the American Concrete Institute (ACI), American Societyof Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the like, to refer to a structure thatcomprises a concrete structure and a steel structure. In some exampleembodiments, the containment structure may be an SC containmentstructure based on including a concrete donut structure and concretecolumns within an annular gap space that is defined betweenconcentrically arranged inner and outer steel cylindrical shells. The SCcontainment structure may provide improved efficiency of construction,as the concrete portions (e.g., the donut structure and the columns) ofthe SC containment structure may be formed without using concrete“formwork” structures to define the shapes of some or all of theconcrete structures. For example, the concrete donut structure may beformed by simply filling the annular gap space defined between the innerand outer steel cylindrical shells up to a particular height, and theconcrete columns may be pre-formed off-site and then installed withinthe annular gap space, formed within one or more inner spaced in theannular gap space that are defined by one or more steel partitions, orthe like. Additionally, the SC containment structure may have improvedsize/volume efficiency and/or structural support strength based on beinga SC structure, in addition to providing the integration of passivecooling, structural support, and pressure retention in a singlestructure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a nuclear plant that includes anintegrated passive cooling containment structure, according to someexample embodiments. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of thenuclear plant of FIG. 1 along cross-sectional view line II-II′,according to some example embodiments. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional topview of the nuclear plant of FIG. 1 along cross-sectional view lineIII-III′ where the integrated passive cooling containment structureincludes support columns with radial widths that equal the radialdistance of the annular gap between the inner diameter and outerdiameter of the inner channels of the integrated passive coolingcontainment structure, according to some example embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the nuclear plant 1 includes a reactor buildingstructure 110 (e.g., reactor building outer load-bearing walls) thatencompasses a nuclear reactor 100, a containment structure 140, a voidspace 112 defined between the exterior of the containment structure 140and the reactor building structure 110, and a superstructure 120 that islocated vertically above the containment structure 140, the nuclearreactor 100, or a combination thereof. It will be understood that thenuclear reactor 100 and containment structure 140 may be within aninterior of the reactor building structure 110. The nuclear plant 1rests on a foundation 2 (which may be the ground, bedrock, a structuralfoundation, any combination thereof, or the like).

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the nuclear reactor 100 is located within acontainment environment 192 that is at least laterally (e.g.,horizontally) surrounded by, and at least laterally defined by thecontainment structure 140. The containment structure 140 may furtherinclude the cap structure 101 that spans over, covers, and defines a topof the containment environment 192. The nuclear reactor 100 may becoupled to a primary, coolant fluid circulation loop (not shown) that isconfigured to circulate coolant fluid into and out of the nuclearreactor for the purpose of converting heat rejected by the nuclearreactor 100 into mechanical work (e.g., spinning a turbine to generateelectrical power). Such a coolant loop, referred to herein as the powercoolant loop, is separate from the coolant fluid flow and/or circulationillustrated in the drawings and described herein with regard to one ormore coolant channels of the containment structure 140.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the containment structure 140 includes aconcentric arrangement of an inner steel cylindrical shell 142 and anouter steel cylindrical shell 144 that are coaxial with respect tocentral longitudinal axis 301, where axis 301 is also a longitudinalaxis of the containment structure 140. The inner surface 142 i of theinner steel cylindrical shell 142 defines at least a lateral (e.g.,side) boundary of the containment environment 192, within which thenuclear reactor 100 may be located and contained. An outer surface 142 oof the inner steel cylindrical shell 142 and an inner surface 144 i ofthe outer steel cylindrical shell 144 may define inner and outerdiameters, respectively, of an annular gap space 146 between the innersteel cylindrical shell 142 and the outer steel cylindrical shell 144.Thus, the outer surface 142 o of the inner steel cylindrical shell 142and the inner surface 144 i of the outer steel cylindrical shell 144 maycollectively define an annular gap space 146 that has a longitudinalaxis that is axis 301. It will be understood that the bottom 146 b ofthe annular gap space 146 may be defined by the plane that is coplanarwith one or both of the bottom surfaces, or edges, of the inner andouter steel cylindrical shells 142, 144 and/or the top surface 2 t ofthe foundation 2, and the top 146 a of the annular gap space 146 may bedefined by the plane that is coplanar with one or both of the topsurfaces, or edges, of the inner and outer steel cylindrical shells 142,144. The inner and outer steel cylindrical shells 142, 144 maycollectively, alone or in further combination with one or more steelpartitions 156 as described further below with reference to FIG. 4, bereferred to as a “steel annulus structure.”

In some example embodiments, the inner and/or outer steel cylindricalshells 142, 144 may comprise, in part or in full, any well-knowncorrosion resistant steel material, including, for example, “stainlesssteel” as the term is well-known. In some example embodiments, the innerand/or outer steel cylindrical shells may comprise, in part or in full,any well-known steel material (e.g., “carbon steel” as the term iswell-known) that is coated with any well-known corrosion resistantcoating.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, the containment structure 140 furtherincludes a concrete donut structure 150 at the bottom 146 b of theannular gap space 146 such that the concrete donut structure 150 fills alower region 146L of the annular gap space. As shown, the concrete donutstructure 150 may extend in a ring, or “donut” shape around the entirecircumference of the lower region 146L of the annular gap space 146. Asshown in FIG. 2, it will be understood that the lower region 146L may bedefined as the portion of the annular gap space 146 that is entirelyfilled by the concrete donut structure 150, such that a vertical heightof the lower region 146L extends from the bottom 146 b of the annulargap space 146 to a height of the top surface 154 of the concrete donutstructure. As shown in FIG. 2, it will be understood that the upperregion 146U of the annular gap space 146 is the portion of the annulargap space 146 that excludes the lower region 146L and a total verticalheight of the upper region 146U of the annular gap space 146 extendsfrom the top surface 154 of the concrete donut structure 150 to the top146 a of the annular gap space 146.

It will be understood that the total vertical height of the lower region146L of the annular gap space 146 may be between about 10% and about50%, for example about 33%, of the vertical height 146T (e.g., heightfrom height H0 to H2) of the annular gap space 146.

As shown in FIG. 2, it will be understood that the bottom 146 b of theannular gap space 146, as well as the bottom surfaces and/or edges ofthe inner and outer steel cylindrical shells 142, 144, is at a height H0that is the height of the top surface 2 t of the foundation 2.Additionally, the top surface 154 of the concrete donut structure 150,and thus the top of the lower region 146L of the annular gap space 146and the bottom of the upper region 146U of the annular gap space 146(and also the bottom 160 b of the one or more coolant channels 160described further below) is at a height H1 above the top surface 2 t ofthe foundation 2. Additionally, the top surfaces and/or edges of theinner and outer steel cylindrical shells 142, 144, and thus the top 146a of the annular gap space 146 (and also the top 160 a of the one ormore coolant channels 160 described further below) is at a height H2above the height of the top surface 2 t of the foundation 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the concrete donut structure 150 may completely fillthe lower region 146L at the bottom 146 b of the annular gap space 146,such that no voids, or substantially no voids (e.g., no voids withinmanufacturing tolerances and/or material tolerances) remain in the lowerregion 146L of the annular gap space 146 that extends between the bottom146 b of the annular gap space 146 and the top surface 154 of theconcrete donut structure 150. In some example embodiments, the concretedonut structure 150 may comprise, in part or in full, any well-knownself-consolidating concrete material, so that the presence of voidswithin the concrete donut structure may be reduced or minimized.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inner surface 142 i of the inner steelcylindrical shell 142 may be coupled to one or more support projections194 (e.g., wedge structures) that project into the containmentenvironment 192 and support a pedestal 196 in the containmentenvironment 192. As shown in FIG. 2, the nuclear reactor 100 may bemounted on, and thus may rest upon, the pedestal. In some exampleembodiments, the one or more support projections 194 may be connecteddirectly to the inner surface 142 i of the inner steel cylindrical shell142 and thus may be connected indirectly to the concrete donut structure150. In some example embodiments, the one or more support projections194 may extend through the inner steel cylindrical shell 142 to bedirectly connected to the concrete donut structure 150. Accordingly,containment structure 140 may be configured to transfer the structuralload (e.g., weight) of the nuclear reactor 100 to the foundation 2 viaat least the concrete donut structure 150 through the one or moresupport projections. As a result, the concrete donut structure 150, andthus the containment structure 140, may provide structural support ofthe nuclear reactor 100 within the containment environment 192.

As shown in FIG. 2, the nuclear reactor 100 may be spaced apart from theinner steel cylindrical shell 142 by a gap space 192 g within thecontainment environment 192, but example embodiments are not limitedthereto.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the containment structure 140 includes aplurality of concrete columns 152 that are azimuthally spaced 152Aapart, within the annular gap space 146, around the circumference of theannular gap space 146 and each extend vertically, and in parallel witheach other, through at least the upper region 146U of the annular gapspace 146, from the top surface 154 of the concrete donut structure 150to the top 146 a of the annular gap space 146. The concrete columns 152may be equally azimuthally spaced apart 152A around the circumference ofthe annular gap space 146, but example embodiments are not limitedthereto, and in some example embodiments, the concrete columns 152 maybe symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged around the circumference ofthe annular gap space 146, for example so that one or more concretecolumns 152 may be provide additional radiation shielding of certainportions and/or areas of the nuclear reactor 100. In some exampleembodiments, one or more, or all, of the concrete columns 152 maycomprise, in part or in full, any well-known self-consolidating concretematerial, so that the presence of voids within the concrete columns 152may be reduced or minimized. In some example embodiments, the concretedonut structure 150 and one or more, or all, of the concrete columns 152are part of a single, uniform piece of concrete, but example embodimentsare not limited thereto, and the concrete columns 125 may be separatepieces of concrete that are separately formed on the top surface 154 ofthe concrete donut structure 150. In some example embodiments, one ormore concrete columns 152 may extend vertically into an interior of theconcrete donut structure 150, such that a bottom surface of the one ormore concrete columns 152 is located vertically below the top surface154 of the concrete donut structure 150.

Based on including the inner and outer steel cylindrical shells 142,144, the concrete donut structure 150, and the concrete columns 152, thecontainment structure 140 may be understood to be a steel-concretecomposite (SC) containment structure.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the containment structure 140 may include a capstructure 101 that spans over, and thus covers and defines, a top of thecontainment environment 192.

In some example embodiments, the concrete columns 152 and the inner andouter steel cylindrical shells 142, 144 may collectively providestructural support to at least a portion of the superstructure 120 ofthe nuclear plant 1 that is vertically above the containment structure140 and the nuclear reactor 100. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the concretecolumns 152 and the inner and outer steel cylindrical shells 142, 144may collectively provide structural support of the superstructure 120 incombination with the reactor building structure 110 (e.g., outerload-bearing walls). In some example embodiments, the reactor buildingstructure 110 are not load-bearing walls, and the concrete columns 152and the inner and outer steel cylindrical shells 142, 144 maycollectively provide all of the structural support of the superstructure120.

Referring to FIG. 2, in some example embodiments, some (e.g., two ormore) or all of the concrete columns 152 may have a radial diameter152R, in a radial direction 301R of the annular gap space 146 that isthe radial direction 301R from the central axis 301, that equals aradial distance 146R of the annular gap space 146 between an innerdiameter (defined by the outer surface 142 o) and an outer diameter(defined by the inner surface 144 i) of the annular gap space 146, suchthat the two or more concrete columns 152 azimuthally partition theannular gap space 146 into two or more isolated coolant channels 160. Asa result, two or more concrete columns 152 may extend completely betweenthe outer and inner surfaces 142 o and 144 i (and thus be in directcontact with each of the outer and inner surfaces 142 o and 144 i),throughout some or all of the vertical height of the upper region 146Uof the annular gap space 146, and thus each such concrete column 152 mayazimuthally partition the annular gap space 146. As shown in FIG. 3,where two or more concrete columns 152 have a radial diameter 152R thatequals the radial distance 146R, the two or more concrete columns 152may partition the annular gap space 146 into two or more (e.g., aplurality) of coolant channels 160 that extend vertically through theannular gap space 146, where each coolant channel 160 is defined by atleast the top surface 154 of the concrete donut structure 150, the innerand outer surfaces 144 i, 142 o, and one or more side surfaces 152 s ofone or more concrete columns 152. While the concrete columns are shownin FIGS. 1-3 as having polygonal cylinder shapes, the exampleembodiments are not limited thereto, and one or more concrete columnsmay have a circular cylinder shape or any type of cylinder shape.

In some example embodiments, including the example embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-3, the radial distance 146R and the radial diameter 152R of oneor more concrete columns 152 may be a fixed value over an entirety ofthe vertical distance and/or vertical length of the annular gap space146 and/or concrete columns 152. Accordingly, a concrete column 152 mayhave a radial diameter 152R that equals the radial distance 146R alongthe entire vertical length of the concrete column 152 such that theconcrete column 152 partitions the annular gap space 146 along an entirevertical length of the concrete column 152. It will be understood that aconcrete column that “partitions” the annular gap space 146 maycompletely block fluid (e.g., coolant fluid) flow through a conduit thatis at least partially defined by a side surface 152 s of the concretecolumn 152.

As will be further described below, in some example embodiments one ormore concrete columns 152 may not partition the annular gap space 146into multiple coolant channels 160, such that the containment structure140 may include a coolant channel 160 that encompasses one or moreconcrete columns 152 within the annular gap space 146.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the one or more coolant channels 160 may have abottom 160 b that is at least partially defined by the top surface 154of the concrete donut structure 150 (e.g., a bottom of at least aportion of the upper region 146U of the annular gap space 146) and a top160 a that is at least partially defined by the top surfaces and/oredges of the outer and inner steel cylindrical shells 144, 142 and thusmay be the same as at least a portion of the top 146 a of the annulargap space 146.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the containment structure 140 may includeone or more coolant supply ports 172 (e.g., inlet fluid ports, orifices,etc.) that may extend through the thickness of the outer steelcylindrical shell 144 (and thus may be understood to be included in theouter steel cylindrical shell 144) and into one or more coolant channels160 defined within the annular gap space 146. As shown in FIGS. 1-3,each coolant supply port 172 may be located at (e.g., proximate to) thebottom 160 b of the coolant channel 160 into which the coolant supplyport 172 extends. As shown in FIG. 2, a coolant supply port 172 may becoupled to a coolant supply conduit 174 that is further coupled to acoolant source 202, and thus the coolant supply port 172 may beconfigured to direct a supply coolant fluid 175, that is received at thecoolant supply port 172 from the coolant source 202 via the coolantsupply conduit 174, into the coolant channel 160 at the bottom 160 bthereof. It will be understood that directing and/or supplying thesupply coolant fluid 175 into a portion of the coolant channel 160 thatis at (e.g., proximate to) a bottom 160 b of the coolant channel 160 maybe referred to herein as directing and/or supplying the supply coolantfluid 175 into a bottom region 160 c of the coolant channel 160. It willbe understood that directing and/or supplying the supply coolant fluid175 into a portion of the coolant channel 160 that is at (e.g.,proximate to) a bottom 160 b of the coolant channel 160 may be referredto herein as directing and/or supplying the supply coolant fluid 175“into” a bottom region 160 c of the coolant channel 160 (e.g., a regionof the coolant channel 160 that is a bottom 10% of the coolant channel160 extending upwards from the top surface 154 at height H1, a region ofthe coolant channel 160 that is a bottom 5% of the coolant channel 160extending upwards from the top surface 154 at height H1, or the like).

As further shown in FIG. 2, the supply coolant fluid 175 that issupplied into the bottom region 160 c of a coolant channel 160 mayabsorb heat 102, that is rejected from the nuclear reactor 100 via atleast the inner steel cylindrical shell 142 (and the gap space 192 g inexample embodiments where the gap space 192 g is not absent), to becomeheated coolant fluid 179. The heated coolant fluid 179 may haveincreased buoyancy (e.g., reduced density) over the supply coolant fluid175 that is supplied into the bottom region 160 c of the coolant channel160, and thus the heated coolant fluid 179 may rise (e.g., flowvertically upwards) through the coolant channel 160 towards a top 160 aof the coolant channel 160 (which may also be the top 146 a of theannular gap space 146).

In some example embodiments, the containment structure 140 includes acap structure 182 that covers (e.g., seals) the top 146 a of the annulargap space 146 and thus defines the top 160 a of the one or more coolantchannels 160 in the annular gap space 146. In some example embodiments,the cap structure 182 and the cap structure 101 may be part of a single,uniform piece of material. In some example embodiments, a coolant returnport 184 may extend through the thickness of the cap structure 182 tothe top 160 a of the coolant channel 160 and may be further coupled to acoolant return conduit 186 that is further coupled to a coolant return204. The coolant return port 184 may thus be configured to direct theheated coolant fluid 179 that rises to the top 160 a of the coolantchannel 160 to flow through the coolant return port 184 and thus throughthe coolant return conduit 186, as return coolant fluid 187, to thecoolant return 204. As shown in FIG. 2, the coolant source 202 and thecoolant return 204 may be a single, common coolant fluid reservoir 206(e.g., a coolant fluid pool) that is configured to provide a (at leasttemporary) heat sink of heat 102 removed from the containmentenvironment 192 by the coolant fluid circulating between the reservoir106 and the one or more coolant channels 160, but example embodimentsare not limited thereto.

As shown in at least FIG. 2, the flow (e.g., circulation) of supplycoolant fluid 175, 179, 187 through a coolant channel 160 and thusbetween the coolant source 202 and coolant return 204 (which may be asingle coolant fluid reservoir 206) may be driven by the upwards flow ofthe heated coolant fluid 179 within the coolant channel 160 as a resultof absorbing rejected heat 102, so as to be displaced by newly-suppliedsupply coolant fluid 175 and thus maintain the circulation or flow ofcoolant fluid through the coolant channel 160. As a result, the flow ofcoolant fluid through one or more coolant channels 160 of thecontainment structure 140 may be understood to be “passive,” as the flowis not induced or controlled by an active flow generator device (e.g., apump) but is instead induced and/or controlled by (e.g., driven by) theabsorbance of heat 102 from nuclear reactor at the coolant fluid withinthe one or more coolant channels 160, and thus may be driven by thenatural difference in buoyancy (e.g., density) of heated coolant fluid179 over the buoyancy (e.g., density) of colder supply coolant fluid175.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the containment structure 140 may provide arelatively compact (e.g., volume efficient) passive cooling capability,via coolant channel(s) 160) that are integrated into the interior of thecontainment structure 140, thereby reducing or preventing leaks ofsubstances from the containment structure 140 and improving volumeefficiency of a containment structure that provides passive cooling,structural support, and pressure retention. It will be understood thatthe containment structure 140 is configured to be leak-tight andwater-tight with regard to fluid flow or leakage from the containmentenvironment 192 to the annular gap space 146 and/or from the annular gapspace 146 to an exterior of the containment structure 140 (e.g., thevoid space 112) and thus an exterior of the reactor building structure110 and/or an exterior of the nuclear plant 1.

In some example embodiments, the containment structure 140 is configuredto provide mitigation and/or prevention of the escape of gases, liquid,and/or other substances from the containment environment 192 to anenvironment external to the containment structure 140 (e.g., the voidspace 112 and/or an exterior of the reactor building structure 110). Thecontainment structure 140 may thus be understood to be configured to beleak-resistant and/or leak-proof with regard to liquids, gases, or othersubstances in the containment environment 192.

As shown in FIG. 3, where the annular gap space 146 is partitioned intomultiple separate, azimuthally-spaced apart coolant channels 160 by twoor more concrete columns 152, the outer steel cylindrical shell 144 mayinclude multiple coolant supply ports 172, where each separate coolantsupply port 172 extends into a separate coolant channel 160 and thuseach separate coolant supply port 172 is configured to direct coolantfluid (e.g., supply coolant fluid 175) into a separate coolant channel160. Still referring to FIG. 3, in some example embodiments, the capstructure 182 may include multiple separate coolant return ports 184that each extend into the top 160 a of a separate coolant channel 160.

In some example embodiments, two or more concrete columns 152 may have aradial diameter 152R that varies with vertical height, such that the twomore concrete columns 152 have a base that is wider than a top of thetwo or more concrete columns. Accordingly, in some example embodiments,the radial diameter 152R of the two or more concrete columns 152 equalsthe radial distance 146R at the base of the two or more concrete columns152 (e.g., at the bottom 160 b of the coolant channels 160, the two ormore concrete columns 152 may partition the annular gap space 146 intoseparate bottoms 160 b of a coolant channel 160, and the radial diameter152R of the two or more concrete columns may be less than the radialdistance 146R at the top of the two or more concrete columns 152, andthe cap structure 182 may include a smaller quantity of coolant returnports 184 than the quantity of coolant supply ports 172.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, as shown, the coolant supply conduit(s)174 may extend through the void space 112, external to the containmentstructure 140, but example embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the nuclear plant of FIG. 1along cross-sectional view line III-III′ where the integrated passivecooling containment structure includes support columns formed betweenopposing steel partitions in the annular gap of the integrated passivecooling containment structure, according to some example embodiments. Itwill be understood that like elements from FIGS. 1-3 have the samereference numbers in FIG. 4. Elements of the example embodiments shownin FIG. 4 that are the same or substantially the same as thecorresponding like elements shown in any of FIGS. 1-3 will not bedescribed again in detail with regard to FIG. 4 and the abovedescription thereof with regard to any of FIGS. 1-3 will be understoodto apply to the example embodiments shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, in some example embodiments, the containmentstructure 140 may include one or more steel partitions 156 that extendbetween the outer surface 142 o of the inner steel cylindrical shell 142and the inner surface 144 i of the outer steel cylindrical shell, alongsome or all of the vertical height 146T of the annular gap space 146.While FIG. 4 illustrates embodiments where the steel partitions 156extend in the radial direction 301R from axis 301, example embodimentsare not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 4, one or more steel partitions 156 may azimuthallypartition the annular gap space 146. As further shown, one or more steelpartitions 156 may isolate a concrete column 152 from an adjacentcoolant channel 160. In some example embodiments, a concrete column 152may be isolated from direct contact with (e.g., from defining) anyadjacent coolant channel 160 based on the side surfaces 152 s of theconcrete column 152 that are exposed from the inner and outer steelcylindrical shells 142, 144 being completely covered by one or moresteel partitions 156, such that opposite steel partitions 156 may coveropposite exposed side surfaces 152 s of a concrete column 152 and maydefine at least a portion of separate, adjacent coolant channels 160.

In some example embodiments, the steel partitions 156 may enable theefficient formation of the concrete columns 152 as part of constructionof the containment structure 140, such that the containment structurethat is a SC containment structure may be constructed without utilizingany concrete formwork. As shown in FIG. 4, opposing steel partitions 156may define an inner laterally-closed space 158 that is bounded by, andthus defined by, the outer surface 142 o, the inner surface 144 i, andopposing inner surfaces 156 i of the opposing steel partitions 156.

As noted above with regard to FIGS. 1-3, the concrete donut structure150 may be formed based on filling a portion of the annular gap space146 with concrete (e.g., self-consolidating concrete). Subsequently, orat the same time as the concrete donut structure 150 is being formed viasuch filling, the one or more inner laterally-closed spaces 158 that areat least partially defined by opposing inner surfaces 156 i of opposingsteel partitions 156 (e.g., a set of steel partitions 156) may bepartially or fully filled with concrete (e.g., filled with concrete to atop of the annular gap space 146) to form the concrete columns 152within the annular gap space 146.

In some example embodiments, one or more steel partitions 156 may extendvertically from height H2 down to H1 but not down to height H0, suchthat, such that the concrete donut structure 150 may be a single,uniform piece of concrete that completely fills the annular gap space upto at least a height of a bottom edge of one or more steel partitions156. In some example embodiments, one or more steel partitions 156 mayextend vertically from height H2 down to H1 such that the concrete donutstructure 150 may be a single, uniform piece of concrete that completelyfills the annular gap space up to height H1. In some exampleembodiments, one or more steel partitions 156 may extend vertically fromheight H2 down to H0, such that the concrete donut structure 150 isformed based on filling portions of the annular gap space 146, at leastpartially defined by one or more outer surfaces 156 o, that are externalto the inner laterally-closed spaces 158 only up to a particular height(e.g., H1) while the concrete columns 152 are formed based on fillingthe inner laterally-closed spaces 158 to at least a height that is abovethe particular height (e.g., up to height H2).

It will be understood that the one or more steel partitions 156 maycomprise, in part or in full, any well-known corrosion resistant steelmaterial, including, for example, “stainless steel” as the term iswell-known. In some example embodiments, the one or more steelpartitions 156 may comprise, in part or in full, any well-known steelmaterial (e.g., “carbon steel” as the term is well-known) that is coatedwith any well-known corrosion resistant coating.

In some example embodiments, one or more steel partitions 156 may definean inner laterally-closed space 158 that does not extend completelybetween the inner surface 144 i and the outer surface 142 o, such that aconcrete column 152 formed in the inner laterally-closed space 158 maynot partition the annular gap space 146 into separate coolant channels160. In some example embodiments, the one or more steel partitions 156that define such an inner space that does not extend completely betweenthe inner surface 144 i and the outer surface 142 o may include gapsthat do not completely partition the portions of the annular gap space146 that are outside the inner laterally-closed space 158, such thatcoolant fluid 179 may flow through the gaps in the one or more steelpartitions 156 and around the inner laterally-closed space 158 definedby the one or more steel partitions 156.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top view of the nuclear plant of FIG. 1along cross-sectional view line III-III′ where the integrated passivecooling containment structure includes support columns with radialwidths that are less than the radial distance of the annular gap betweenthe inner diameter and outer diameter of the inner channels of theintegrated passive cooling containment structure, according to someexample embodiments. It will be understood that like elements from FIGS.1-4 have the same reference numbers in FIG. 5. Elements of the exampleembodiments shown in FIG. 5 that are the same or substantially the sameas the corresponding like elements shown in any of FIGS. 1-4 will not bedescribed again in detail with regard to FIG. 5 and the abovedescription thereof with regard to any of FIGS. 1-4 will be understoodto apply to the example embodiments shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, in some example embodiments, some (e.g., one ormore) or all concrete columns 152 of the containment structure 140 eachhave a radial diameter 152R, in a radial direction 301R of the annulargap space 146, that is less than the radial distance 146R of the annulargap space 146 between an inner diameter (e.g., the diameter of the outersurface 142 o) and an outer diameter (e.g., the diameter of the innersurface 144 i) of the annular gap space 146, such that the some or allconcrete columns are isolated from directly contacting one or more ofthe inner steel cylindrical shell 142 or the outer steel cylindricalshell 144. In the example embodiments shown in FIG. 5, all of theconcrete columns 152 have a radial diameter 152R that is less than theradial distance 146R, such that all of the concrete columns 152 may beisolated from directly contacting the inner steel cylindrical shell 142and may further be isolated from directly contacting the outer steelcylindrical shell 144. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the concrete columns152 having a radial diameter 152R that is less than the radial distance146R and is isolated from directly contacting the inner steelcylindrical shell 142 may, collectively with the inner steel cylindricalshell 142, define an inward gap space 153 i between a radiallyinward-facing portion of a side surface 152 s of the concrete column 152and the outer surface 142 o of the inner steel cylindrical shell 142,such that coolant fluid 179 in the annular gap space 146 may circulatelaterally (e.g., azimuthally) around the circumference of the annulargap space 146 and around one or more of the concrete columns 152 via atleast the inward gap space 153 i. As further shown in FIG. 5, each ofthe concrete columns 152 having a radial diameter 152R that is less thanthe radial distance 146R and is isolated from directly contacting theouter steel cylindrical shell 144 may, collectively with the outer steelcylindrical shell 144, define an outward gap space 153 o between aradially outward-facing portion of a side surface 152 s of the concretecolumn 152 and the inner surface 144 i of the outer steel cylindricalshell 144, such that coolant fluid 179 in the annular gap space 146 maycirculate laterally (e.g., azimuthally) around the circumference of theannular gap space 146 and around one or more of the concrete columns 152via at least the outward gap space 153 o.

In some example embodiments, one or more of the concrete columns 152shown in FIG. 5 may have a different radial diameter 152R at differentvertical heights in the annular gap space. In some example embodiments,one or more of the concrete columns 152 may have a conical shape,truncated conical shape, or the like, such that the radial diameter 152Rof the one or more concrete columns 152 changes, gradually and/or instep increments, with increasing height of the concrete column 152cross-section between height H1 and height H2. As a result, in someexample embodiments, the concrete columns 152 may have a radial diameter152R, at height H1, that equals the radial distance 146R at height H1(e.g., similarly to the cross-sectional view shown in FIGS. 3-4) so thatthe concrete columns 152 azimuthally partition the annular gap space 146into separate coolant channels 160 at height H1, while the concretecolumns 152 may have a radial diameter 152R at or near height H2 (e.g.,between height H2 and a height H2′ that is between H1 and H2) that isless than the radial distance 146R at height H2 (where radial distance146R may be fixed at a constant value at some or all heights betweenheight H1 and height H2), such that the separate coolant channels 160defined by the concrete columns 152 at height H1 may merge, at or nearheight H2 (e.g., between height H2 and a height H2′ that is between H1and H2), into a single, annular coolant channel 160 that extends aroundthe concrete columns 152 at or near height H2.

In some example embodiments, the inner steel cylindrical shell 142, theouter steel cylindrical shell 144, and/or one or more steel partitions156 may partially or fully comprise one or more metal materials that aredifferent from one or more steel materials. For example, in some exampleembodiments, the inner steel cylindrical shell 142, the outer steelcylindrical shell 144, and/or one or more steel partitions 156 maypartially or fully comprise one or more titanium materials.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates a method of installing a nuclearreactor that includes an integrated passive cooling containmentstructure, according to some example embodiments. The method shown inFIG. 6 may be performed with regard to any of the example embodiments ofcontainment structures 140 as described herein, including any of theexample embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5.

At S602, the method may include forming a steel annulus structure thatincludes a concentric arrangement of an inner steel cylindrical shell142 and an outer steel cylindrical shell 144, where inner surface 142 iof the inner steel cylindrical shell 142 at least partially defines alateral boundary of a containment environment 192 of a nuclear reactor100, and where an outer surface 142 o of the inner steel cylindricalshell 142 and an inner surface 144 i of the outer steel cylindricalshell 144 define inner and outer diameters, respectively, of an annulargap space 146 between the inner steel cylindrical shell 142 and theouter steel cylindrical shell 144. In some example embodiments, formingthe steel annulus structure may include separately mounting the shells142, 144 sequentially on foundation 2, where the shells 142, 144 areseparately formed off-site. In some example embodiments, forming thesteel annulus structure may include bending one or more pieces of steelto form one or both of the shells 142, 144, such that one or both of theshells 142, 144 may be formed on-site at the nuclear plant 1.

In some example embodiment, forming the steel annulus structure mayinclude installing one or more steel partitions 156 in the annular gapspace 146 to define an inner laterally-closed space 158. The one or moresteel partitions 156 may define the inner laterally-closed space 158 toextend from at least a height H2 (e.g., the height of the top 146 a ofthe annular gap space 146) down to at least a lower height H1 (whichwill subsequently be a height of a top surface 154 of a concrete donutstructure 150) and, in some example embodiments, may further extend downto height H0 that is the height of the top surface 2 t of the foundation2. In some example embodiments, installing a steel partition 156 in theannular gap space 146 may include coupling the steel partition 156 toone or more of the inner steel cylindrical shell 142, the outer steelcylindrical shell 144, or one or more other steel partitions 156 via anywell-known method for joining metal pieces, including welding, riveting,any combination thereof, or the like.

As noted above, the steel annulus structure, including the inner steelcylindrical shell 142, the outer steel cylindrical shell 144, and anysteel partitions 156, may include one or more pieces of steel material,including one or more pieces of corrosion resistant steel (e.g.,stainless steel), one or more pieces of steel covered with one or morecorrosion-resistant coatings, any combination thereof, or the like.

At S604, a concrete donut structure 150 is formed at a bottom 146 b ofthe annular gap space 146, such that the concrete donut structure 150fills a lower region 146L of the annular gap space 146. The forming ofthe concrete donut structure 150 may include pouring concrete into theangular gap space 146 until the height of the concrete donut structure150 rises to height H1.

The forming of the concrete donut structure 150 may include pouring asingle stream of concrete into the angular gap space 146, for examplewhen the space between H0 and H1 in the angular gap space is acontinuous, partitioned space (e.g., when the annular steel structuredoes not include a steel partition 156 that extends to height H0. Theforming at S604 may include pouring a self-consolidating concretematerial into the annular gap space 146 to form the concrete donutstructure 150.

In some example embodiments, for example where the portion of theangular gap space 146 between height H0 and H1 are partitioned by one ormore steel partitions that extend at least partially or fully between H1and H0, the forming of the concrete donut structure 150 may includepouring a multiple, separate streams of concrete into separate portionsof the angular gap space 146, including or example one or more innerlaterally-closed spaces 158 that are located within the angular gapspace 146 between H0 and H1 and defined by one or more steel partitions156 extending at least partially between H1 and H0, such that the formedconcrete donut structure 150 includes one or more pieces of concreteformed within one or more portions of the angular gap space 146,including two or more partitioned portions of the angular gap space 146(e.g., including portions of the angular gap space 146 between heightsH0 and H1 that are both within and external to one or more spaces 158defined by one or more steel partitions 156 extending at least partiallybetween heights H1 and H0. The forming at S604 may include pouringmultiple streams of self-consolidating concrete material into separateportions of the annular gap space 146 to form the concrete donutstructure 150.

At S606, a plurality of concrete columns 152 are formed in the angulargap space 146 such that the concrete columns 152 are spaced apartazimuthally, symmetrically or asymmetrically, around a circumference ofthe annular gap space 146 and extending in parallel from a top surface154 of the concrete donut structure 150 to a top 146 a of the annulargap space 146 (e.g., between at least heights H1 and H2), such that theouter steel cylindrical shell 144, the inner steel cylindrical shell142, the plurality of concrete columns 152, and the concrete donutstructure 150 at least partially define one or more coolant channels 160in the annular gap space 146, where the one or more coolant channels 160extend from a bottom 160 b at the top surface 154 of the concrete donutstructure 150 to a top 160 a at the top 146 a of the annular gap space146.

In some example embodiments, the concrete columns 152 may be fabricatedseparately and off-site and lowered into the annular gap space 146 andonto the top surface 154 of the concrete donut structure 150. In someexample embodiments, for example where the steel annulus structureincludes one or more steel partitions 156 that define a innerlaterally-closed space 158 within the angular gap space 146, a concretecolumn 152 may be formed based on filling the inner laterally-closedspace 158 based on pouring concrete into the inner laterally-closedspace 158 to fill the space 158 (e.g., from height H1 to height H2) withconcrete. In some example embodiments, a concrete column 152 may beformed in an inner laterally-closed space 158 concurrently with, orimmediately after, pouring concrete into one or more annular gap space146 to form a concrete donut structure 150, such that a concrete column152 that is formed at S606 is part of a piece of concrete that alsocomprises at least a portion of the concrete donut structure 150 and/orextends between height H1 at least partially or fully to height H0 sothat a bottom surface of a piece of concrete that comprises all of theconcrete column 152 is lower (e.g., closer to height H0) than the height(e.g., H1) of the top surface 154 of the concrete donut structure 150.

At S608, one or more coolant supply ports 172 are installed (e.g.,inserted through one or more corresponding holes extending through athickness of the outer steel cylindrical shell 144) at a bottom 160 b ofthe one or more coolant channels 160, such that the one or more coolantsupply ports 172 are configured to couple with a coolant source 202 viaone or more coolant supply conduits 174, such that the one or morecoolant supply ports 172 are configured to direct a supply coolant fluid175 into the bottom region 160 c of the one or more coolant channels 160such that the coolant fluid 175/179 rises through the one or morecoolant channels 160 towards a top 160 a of the one or more coolantchannels 160, according to a change in coolant fluid buoyancy based onthe coolant fluid 179 absorbing heat 102 rejected from the nuclearreactor 100 in the containment environment 192 via the inner steelcylindrical shell 142. Installing a coolant supply port 172 my includedrilling a hole through the thickness of the outer steel cylindricalshell 14 and inserting and securing the coolant supply port 172 in thehole so as to seal the hole to reduce or prevent leakage of coolantfluid from the one or more coolant channels 160 through an interfacebetween the coolant supply port 172 and the outer steel cylindricalshell 144. In some example embodiments, the one or more coolant supplyports 172 may be installed during the forming of the steel annularstructure at S602 and prior to the forming of the concrete donutstructure 150 at S604.

In some example embodiments, S608 includes coupling a cap structure 182to the top surface and/or edges of the inner and outer steel cylindricalshells 142, 144 to cause the cap structure 182 to seal the top 146 a ofthe annular gap space 146 to define the top 160 a of the one or morecoolant channels 160. The cap structure may include one or more coolantreturn ports 184 configured to direct coolant fluid 179 flowing to thetop 160 a of the one or more coolant channels 160 to a coolant return204 via one or more coolant return conduits 186.

In some example embodiments, S608 include mounting the nuclear reactor100 in a containment environment 192 at least partially defined by theinner surface 142 i such that the nuclear reactor 100 is structurallysupported in the containment environment 192 by the containmentstructure 140 via at least the concrete donut structure 150. Forexample, S608 may include coupling one or more support projections 194to the concrete donut structure 150 and/or inner steel cylindrical shell142, mounting a pedestal 196 to rest on the support projections 194, andmounting the nuclear reactor 100 on the pedestal such that thestructural load (e.g., weight) of the nuclear reactor 100 is transferredto the foundation 2 via at least the concrete donut structure 150.

In some example embodiments, S608 includes coupling the cap structure101 to the containment structure 140 to complete the defining of thecontainment environment 192. In some example embodiments, S608 includesconstructing the reactor building structure 110 and/or a superstructure120 of the nuclear plant 1 over the containment structure 140 such thatthe containment structure 140 at least partially structurally supportsthe superstructure 120 (e.g., structurally supports the superstructure120 alone or in combination with the reactor building structure 110). Insome example embodiments, S608 includes installing one or more coolantsupply conduits 174, coolant return conduits 186, coolant source 202,coolant return 204, reservoir 206, one or more portions of the reactorbuilding structure 110, any combination thereof, or the like.

While a number of example embodiments have been disclosed herein, itshould be understood that other variations may be possible. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would beobvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within thescope of the following claims. In addition, while processes have beendisclosed herein, it should be understood that the described elements ofthe processes may be implemented in different orders, using differentselections of elements, some combination thereof, etc. For example, someexample embodiments of the disclosed processes may be implemented usingfewer elements than that of the illustrated and described processes, andsome example embodiments of the disclosed processes may be implementedusing more elements than that of the illustrated and describedprocesses.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An integrated passive cooling containmentstructure for a nuclear reactor, the integrated passive coolingcontainment structure comprising: a concentric arrangement of an innersteel cylindrical shell and an outer steel cylindrical shell, an innersurface of the inner steel cylindrical shell defining a lateral boundaryof a containment environment of the nuclear reactor that is configuredto accommodate the nuclear reactor, an outer surface of the inner steelcylindrical shell and an inner surface of the outer steel cylindricalshell defining inner and outer diameters, respectively, of an annulargap space between the inner steel cylindrical shell and the outer steelcylindrical shell; a concrete donut structure at a bottom of the annulargap space, such that the concrete donut structure fills a lower regionof the annular gap space that is between the outer steel cylindricalshell and the inner steel cylindrical shell and extends upwards into theannular gap space from the bottom of the annular gap space; and aplurality of concrete columns spaced apart azimuthally around acircumference of the annular gap and extending in parallel from a topsurface of the concrete donut structure to a top of the annular gapspace; wherein the outer steel cylindrical shell, the inner steelcylindrical shell, the plurality of concrete columns, and the concretedonut structure at least partially define one or more coolant channelsin the annular gap space, the one or more coolant channels extendingfrom the top surface of the concrete donut structure to the top of theannular gap space, wherein the outer steel cylindrical shell includesone or more coolant supply ports at a bottom of the one or more coolantchannels, the one or more coolant supply ports configured to couple witha coolant source via one or more coolant fluid supply conduits, suchthat the one or more coolant supply ports are configured to direct acoolant fluid into a bottom region of the one or more coolant channelssuch that the coolant fluid rises through the one or more coolantchannels towards a top of the one or more coolant channels, according toa change in coolant fluid buoyancy based on the coolant fluid absorbingheat rejected from the nuclear reactor in the containment environmentvia the inner steel cylindrical shell.
 2. The integrated passive coolingcontainment structure of claim 1, wherein two or more concrete columns,of the plurality of concrete columns, each have a radial diameter, in aradial direction of the annular gap space, that equals a radial distanceof the annular gap space between an inner diameter and an outer diameterof the annular gap space over at least a portion of a vertical height ofeach of the two or more concrete columns, such that the two or moreconcrete columns azimuthally partition at least a portion of the annulargap space into two or more isolated coolant channels that extendvertically through at least the portion of the annular gap space, andthe outer steel cylindrical shell includes two or more coolant supplyports that are each configured to direct coolant fluid into a separatecoolant channel of the two or more isolated coolant channels.
 3. Theintegrated passive cooling containment structure of claim 2, furthercomprising: one or more steel partitions isolating a concrete column ofthe plurality of concrete columns from an adjacent coolant channel ofthe one or more coolant channels.
 4. The integrated passive coolingcontainment structure of claim 1, wherein one or more concrete columns,of the plurality of concrete columns, have a radial diameter, in aradial direction of the annular gap space, that is less than a radialdistance of the annular gap space between an inner diameter and an outerdiameter of the annular gap space, such that the one or more concretecolumns are isolated from directly contacting one or more of the innersteel cylindrical shell or the outer steel cylindrical shell.
 5. Theintegrated passive cooling containment structure of claim 1, furthercomprising: a cap structure that seals the top of the annular gap spaceto define the top of the one or more coolant channels, the cap structureincluding one or more coolant outlet ports configured to direct coolantflowing to the top of the one or more coolant channels to a coolantreturn via one or more coolant return conduits.
 6. The integratedpassive cooling containment structure of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof concrete columns and the concrete donut structure are a single,uniform piece of concrete.
 7. The integrated passive cooling containmentstructure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of concrete columns and theconcrete donut structure each include self-consolidating concrete. 8.The integrated passive cooling containment structure of claim 1, whereinthe inner steel cylindrical shell and the outer steel cylindrical shelleach include corrosion resistant steel or steel coated with a corrosionresistant coating.
 9. A method for forming the integrated passivecooling containment structure of claim 1, the method comprising: forminga steel annulus structure, the steel annulus structure including aconcentric arrangement of an inner steel cylindrical shell and an outersteel cylindrical shell, an inner surface of the inner steel cylindricalshell defining a lateral boundary of a containment environment of anuclear reactor, an outer surface of the inner steel cylindrical shelland an inner surface of the outer steel cylindrical shell defining innerand outer diameters, respectively, of an annular gap space between theinner steel cylindrical shell and the outer steel cylindrical shell;forming a concrete donut structure at a bottom of the annular gap space,such that the concrete donut structure fills a lower region of theannular gap space; forming a plurality of concrete columns spaced apartazimuthally around a circumference of the annular gap space andextending in parallel from a top surface of the concrete donut structureto a top of the annular gap space, such that the outer steel cylindricalshell, the inner steel cylindrical shell, the plurality of concretecolumns, and the concrete donut structure at least partially define oneor more coolant channels in the annular gap space, the one or morecoolant channels extending from the top surface of the concrete donutstructure to the top of the annular gap space; and installing one ormore coolant supply ports at a bottom of the one or more coolantchannels, the one or more coolant supply ports configured to couple witha coolant source via one or more coolant fluid supply conduits, suchthat the one or more coolant supply ports are configured to direct acoolant fluid into a bottom region of the one or more coolant channelssuch that the coolant fluid rises through the one or more coolantchannels towards a top of the one or more coolant channels, according toa change in coolant fluid buoyancy based on the coolant fluid absorbingheat rejected from the nuclear reactor in the containment environmentvia the inner steel cylindrical shell.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the forming the steel annulus structure includes installing oneor more steel partitions in the annular gap space to define an innerlaterally-closed space, that extends from the top surface of theconcrete donut structure to the top of the annular gap space, within theannular gap space, and the forming the plurality of concrete columnsincludes filling the inner laterally-closed space with concrete to formone concrete column of the plurality of concrete columns.
 11. The methodof claim 9, further comprising: mounting the nuclear reactor in thecontainment environment such that the nuclear reactor is structurallysupported in the containment environment by the integrated passivecooling containment structure via at least the concrete donut structure.12. A nuclear plant, comprising: a reactor building structure; theintegrated passive cooling containment structure of claim 1, wherein theintegrated passive cooling containment structure is located within aninterior of the reactor building structure and defines a void spacebetween the reactor building structure and an exterior of the integratedpassive cooling containment structure; and a nuclear reactor locatedwithin the containment environment that is at least partially defined bythe inner surface of the inner steel cylindrical shell of the integratedpassive cooling containment structure.
 13. The nuclear plant of claim12, wherein the integrated passive cooling containment structure furtherincludes a cap structure that seals the top of the annular gap space todefine the top of the one or more coolant channels, the cap structureincluding one or more coolant outlet ports configured to direct coolantflowing to the top of the one or more coolant channels to a coolantreturn via one or more coolant return conduits; and the nuclear plantfurther includes a coolant reservoir that is both the coolant source andthe coolant return.